Thursday, 31 March 2016

Shanghai is definitely a big city...one of those
where you can find anything, anytime, anywhere.

I recon it can be a bit overwhelming so I decided to
share with you a few restaurants and shops I really liked ;)I decided to dived this post into two parts so this time I'll be sharing with you some tips about where to eat in Shanghai!

It's a traditional Chinese restaurant where you can
find all sorts of dishes (with pictures), keep in mind most of them
are spicy so watch out for that if it's not your thing. Their Basil
Drop cocktail is a true must so you should absolutely to try it! It's
a green concussion with basil and vodka, delicious and doesn't really
taste like alcohol...I'm just saying...

This is such a cool place you cannot miss it! The
interiors are so well thought, it's one of those places where even
the restroom it's worth a visit. The food is mostly American and on
the weekend they do an amazing brunch.

A lovely café in the hearth of French Concession. The owners Lesi, Sandy and Iris will welcome you with a smile and make you feel home. The cafe is small but cozy and decorated with incredible taste. Every Tuesday you can join them for the movie night while sipping the best Spritz in town!

Monday, 28 March 2016

Pour yourself a drink and play the song aboveto fully enjoy what you're about to read...ready?

Night. I was wandering around the streets of Shanghai…what can I say? I always dreamed about visiting this city, so modern yet so full of contrasts, it was one of those nights to keep in mind once I’d be sadly back home.

But…a friend of mine, a musician, called me around midnight. We'll call him Stig. He just finished singing and he doesn’t felt like coming back to his hotel: “Want to see a place? Ok meet you in 20 minutes in front of Element Fresh in Xintiandi. Then we can walk there, it’s not close but it’s nice outside.”

I have to admit I was slightly worried: this guy is a bit…say…unpredictable and "it's nice outside" meant 7°.After just about half an hour of cit chats I found myself in front of a shop selling cook books and household products. Oddly enough it was still open. He red with amusement my doubtful look.

With the daring face typical of all Opera singers, he whispered something to the clerk behind the counter. This lean guy, nodded with a blank face and turned to a library full of Chinese cook books.

I thought he might want to buy one for me, even though I didn’t quite got why, since we’ve know each other for a while and he knows I don’t really cook…

and then the magic happened: the lean guy slid the library along the wall, like in Young Frankenstein and revealed a narrow corridor, with red brick walls, barely illuminated. It can’t be real, I couldn’t believe it. My friend whispered in my ear “Hold your jaw, it’s not all yet.”

The corridor led to a top floor where I found myself in a small bar, wooden furniture and amber lights. We were in a sort of small club, where you can have a drink while listening to jazz music. In the hearth of Shanghai this place makes me feel like I’m in New York during Prohibitionism.Amazing.

The room looks already fullwith the few customers who were already in in. We kept running the wooden stairs but after a few steps we had to stop. The stairs ended on a blind landing. He told me to “Push the map on the wall” and so I did: I placed my hand on an old map of Shanghai, faded by the time and something clicked: the wall moved and we enterd the privèe.An even smaller counter, a bar-woman behind it and six stools. The warm lights made me feel at ease and the sound of a Sax warmed up my ears. Moments of astonishment mixed with happiness.I was in a movie and no one told me about it.The bar-women looked very young, she has delicate features but she handled the shaker with confidence behind the counter.

Her name is Faye, she’s Japanese and she’s the Bar manager. She told me they don’t just make drinks, they prepare real cocktails, elixirs of pure joy for your eyes and palate. The products they use are top quality, meticulously measured to create their special recipes, most of which are secret.

The decor is not casual: the nuances of the wood, the lights, the interiors, the aged metal of the counter…everything is designed to make you feel like who’s behind the counter is not just an element but the main character.

At this point I’m game and I order a Charlie Brown, so well presented that I almost feel bad to taste it.

My friend plays Humphrey Bogart and ask for “the usual”, even though he points out that is a “Stormy Weather”.

When I saw Faye serving him the drink with a coaster that looks like a music score I get why we chose a Stormy Weather. He likes to be stylish even with his drinks.

What can I say? In a place like this where the lights are not strobing and the music makes conversation easy, time goes by so nicely but unfortunately relentlessly.

An hour later on a taxi, on my way back to the hotel I asked myself if it really happened, wondering if it was just a dream. Then I look down at the playing card with Charlie Brown & C. still in my hands and I convinced myself that yes, it happened and if one day I want to go back there it wouldn’t be a problem I wrote down the address on the back of Stormy Weather coaster…What? Do you want it too? No way, it’s too easy, you have to ask Stig…Intrigued? Be sure to come back for my next post...

Friday, 25 March 2016

"The more you know who you are and what you whant, the less you let things upset you"

They say in life you'll never know.There are unexpected experiences that comes just at the right time and opens up so many opportunities that you never thought would come your way. For me the trip to Shanghai was this. Just a year ago something like this seemed impossibile, so far away, something I wouldn't do. It still looks kinda surreal but it was definitely awesome. There are travels, experiences that are life-changing. The things you get to see, do, the people you get to meet and those you share these moments with helps to build your personality, regardless of how old you are, where you are from and where you're headed in life. Shanghai for me was this, something beautiful, unexpected and kinda magic.

I just want to share with you a few pictures from my trip and I recommend you to follow me on Instagram if you aren't already!

Sunday, 20 March 2016

Spring is finally here and I'm ready to ditch my boots and heavy coats and soak in the colorful, pastelly vibes of this season. A new season comes hand in hand with closet clean out...and I don't know about you but it freaks me out every single time. I live in a small space, my closet is tiny and things get crammed so easily!! Recently I learned about MakeSpace, an on-demand storage service that uses technology to help you declutter your life. Amazing right?! They provide you with free bins and wardrobe boxes for you to pack the items you'd
like to store. They pick up, store, and deliver your stuff back when you want so you never have to visit a storage unit again. It's so convenient and they even have an app which makes things even easier! You should absolutely check out their website and I swear you (and your closet) won't regret it!!

So for this season I'm excited to bring back 7 staples that you cannot miss in your wardrobe!

1. Colorful dress

Let's be honest I tend to wear all black during Winter but in Spring I feel more playful and I can't wait to pop on some colors!

2. Trench Coat

The best part of warmer climate is wearing a trench coat. To me a trench look so classy and effortless, you can wear it day and nigh and always look perfect. Plus is light to carry around!

3. Sandals

Ok I know in Spring it's still kinda chilly but I love wearing high heeled sandals on a night out and you can kind of get away with them now...without having your toes completely freezing!

4. Colorful Clutch

As I was telling at point 1 for me Spring means color and there's nothing cuter than a colorful clutch! You can lighten up any look or play contrast with your outfit!

5. Sunnies

I wear them all year round but now there's actually a chance to experience a sunny day and it makes a whole of a difference isn't it? So pop you're trendy sunnies out and enjoy life!

6. Floral Fragrance

I like to switch up my fragrance according to my mood and to the season of course. A floral scent is always appropriate and this Byredo one is just divine!

7. Coral Lipstick

Wouldn't be Spring without a coral lipstick in your purse! Looks amazing and brightens up your complexion! A true must!

So what are your musts for Spring? Don't forget to stop by MakeSpace to learn more about they're services!!